The long-lost family of an Irishman have come forward following a heartbreaking appeal for people to attend his funeral.

John Joseph O'Brien (73) died in Manchester on August 9 and when it was expected that nobody would go to his funeral The Council of Irish Associations Manchester issued a plea online for mourners to come to the service on Wednesday, which they say was viewed and shared over 40,000 times.

They have since said that his long-lost children have got in touch saying they "never forgot him" but sadly their efforts to build a relationship with him failed.

The Council of Irish Associations Manchester said: "Mr O'Brien was a native of Enniscorthy Co Wexford, he came to England and got married and had two sons and a daughter.

"Sadly, the marriage ended and he moved away, naturally the children loved their dad and never forgot him.

"When grown up they tried to find their dad but in their words they were stonewalled.

"With the help of an Irish group near their home they followed many leads - to Ireland, to the US, Canada and Australia to no avail."